An Auckland teacher has had her registration cancelled after recording explicit videos of herself urinating on the floor of a classroom and on a student’s belongings.
Teacher’s Conduct Deemed Serious Misconduct
The New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal found Lisa Marie Edmondson had committed serious misconduct. The case came to light after a member of the public recognized Edmondson’s voice and the school setting in a video posted on TikTok.
The videos included footage of Edmondson urinating on a classroom floor, with genitalia visible, and on a hat in a lost property box bearing a child’s name. During the time of her employment, there was an “ongoing urine smell” in some classrooms, initially attributed to rodents, though no rodent activity was found.
Edmondson resigned in May 2023 after being notified of a formal investigation. She subsequently worked as a relief teacher at another school and applied for a fixed-term position, failing to disclose her previous investigation or employment history.
Teacher Expresses Regret
In a statement, Edmondson acknowledged letting her students down and stated she had accepted that her teaching career was likely over. She expressed regret for her actions, attributing them to “self sabotage” and extreme anxiety during a two-year period, stating she did not remember the incidents by the time they were reported.
The tribunal noted Edmondson did not fully address her conduct or express concern for her former students and colleagues. She was issued a formal censure and ordered to pay $3,255.87 towards the Complaints Assessment Committee’s costs and $582 to the Teaching Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the teacher’s conduct discovered?
A member of the public recognized the school setting in a video posted on TikTok and alerted the school’s deputy principal.
What was the extent of the videos found?
The account contained more than 30 explicit videos recorded over a period of two-and-a-half years.
Did the teacher express remorse for her actions?
Edmondson stated she had no choice but to accept the ruling and expressed regret for her actions, attributing them to self-sabotage and anxiety.
What impact might this case have on the public’s trust in educators and school environments?
